For the most part, I applauded the changes to this more realistic sequel. In my view, the best change involved the car control. In DD2, car collisions have become more realistic because they're modeled after 3-D physics. The result is as visually appealing as it is convincing: Cars now spin out, roll over and even flip in the air. Still, the big reason to buy this game remains Destruction Derby.

The game is more realistic and much more of a challenge. This is a classic case of the designers realizing what was wrong with last year's game and fixing those problem areas. Fans of Destruction Derby should rev up their engines and avoid the driver's door in their search to wreak havoc on the other derby drivers.

Had Destruction Derby 2 included the option to link up and play against a live opponent, this game would surely have been in serious contention for my game of the year. As it stands though, it's still going to be crowding the podium.

Overall, though, the game is a huge improvement over the first version. The graphics are better, the tracks are better, the way the cars handle is better. In case you're wondering why, in that case, it has a lower score than the first version, it's quite simple: things have moved on, and racing games in particular have made a huge leap from the time the first version of this came out. Whether you want arcade thrills and spills, or a proper simulation, there are already a great deal of very high quality games available - and more on the way. This, however, is still a much-improved game with a lot to offer, and provides a good long-term challenge. Well worth a look.

In essence, Destruction Derby 2 does what its predecessor did, only better, but it still suffers from the same faults. You can wind up completely out of control for long periods through no fault of your own, leading to joypad-mauling frustration and annoyed neighbours, and the action is pretty simplistic after a while.

If you haven't played the original Destruction Derby, then this game is a must and will offer you many hours of smashing entertainment. If you have, then although D.D.2 is a vast improvement in every aspect of the game, the gameplay remains exactly the same and is rather shallow.

Destruction Derby 2 fixed the problems with the original title and broke what was good in the first. I really enjoy the racing part of the game now, and actually get frustrated trying to race in the destruction derby. As a racing game, the wrecking race adds a cool twist to the traditional stock car race. The graphics are top notch and I really enjoy the selection of tracks available. This game is a solid title all the way around, if they would just tone the energy level down on the destruction derby. The strange thing is, I keep going back to it and trying to master it so I guess that says something.

Destruction Derby 2 is the game the original should have been – with the luxury of more advanced development tools and more generous deadlines, its programmers have finally realised the full potential of the concept. DD2 is excellent for a number of reasons, the vast majority of which stemming from the radically improved mechanics of its cars – specifically the addition of proper z-axis manipulation.

Psygnosis has sure been busy lately with the release of a series of games that are either sequels to PC titles like Discworld 2, conversions from the PlayStation such as Krazy Ivan, or both with Destruction Derby 2 now available on the two platforms.

Let's face it: at a certain age, destroying your toys becomes more enjoyable than playing with them. When you were a kid playing with matchbox cars, did you ever actually race them against each other? I thought not. No, you slid the little die-cast speedsters as hard as you could at one another until they smashed to pieces on the kitchen linoleum. Am I saying that this is the correct way to play with matchbox cars, that one should be encouraged to enact scenes of demolition with his playthings? Yes, because it's fun.

Destruction Derby 2 isn't a bad game. The actual car physics are done really nicely, and the in-car cam gives you a terrific sense of speed. The graphics are great too, although the pop-up is a trifle heavy. It could be loads of fun, if it weren't so darn hard.

Even though this game hasn't aged well and is nearly impossible without hours of practice, Destruction Derby 2 still can be a very fun game to play, as I found out by playing it for the first time in so many, many years. I'm glad I didn't trade this one in.

Destruction Derby 2 offers many improvements over the original game. The additional tracks and bowls, the extra special effects and crash animation and the new graphics and music are great. The problem lies in the control and some of the game mechanics. In racing mode, the game is extremely unforgiving, and one mistake (sometimes, not even a mistake) can leave you completely out of the race and very frustrated. The derby bowls are a lot of fun, but without a true multiplayer feature, the fun lasts only so long. If you have a very high tolerance for frustration, you might want to check DD2 out for some nonstop racing destruction. However, if you are easily irritated or looking for a racing simulation, you'll most likely want to drive off in the opposite direction.

Destruction Derby 2 offers many improvements over the original game. The additional tracks and bowls, the extra special effects and crash animation and the new graphics and music are great. The problem lies in the control and some of the game mechanics. In racing mode, the game is extremely unforgiving, and one mistake (sometimes, not even a mistake) can leave you completely out of the race and very frustrated. The derby bowls are a lot of fun, but without a true multiplayer feature, the fun lasts only so long. If you have a very high tolerance for frustration, you might want to check DD2 out for some nonstop racing destruction. However, if you are easily irritated or looking for a racing simulation, you'll most likely want to drive off in the opposite direction.

So, should you buy this game? If you are an owner of the original title and enjoyed that game, then this might be a worthy purchase. If you haven't bought the original, I suggest picking that one up instead of this one. DD2 is fun and has nice graphics. The most important quality of a game, good play control, is sorely missing from DD2. It's almost as if Psygnosis focused too much on making the game look better, when all they should have been doing was tweaking the play mechanics. This is an average game that could have been an excellent title.

To say the original DESTRUCTION DERBY was a smash hit is to make a very bad pun. The game had dismal documentation and an unwieldy interface, but it was terrific playable. Unfortunately, the sequel suffers from the same flaws, adds a few new ones, and doesn't match the fun quotient of its predecessor.

To say the original DESTRUCTION DERBY was a smash hit is to make a very bad pun. The game had dismal documentation and an unwieldy interface, but it was terrific playable. Unfortunately, the sequel suffers from the same flaws, adds a few new ones, and doesn't match the fun quotient of its predecessor.

Your best bet is to find Destruction Derby 1 bundled free with one of the new 3D video cards. I saw one just the other day. If you don't need a new video card and you really have to crunch some metal, pick up DD1 anyway.

Your vehicle handles poorly, and each time your car bangs into something, you end up facing the wrong direction. Consequently, a tedious three-point turn is required to get back on track. There's a pit stop available, but just like so many other racing games, it's not very useful. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of DD2 is that it contains no two-player options at all! I highly recommend the original Destruction Derby, but steer clear of this lackluster sequel.